When it comes to bathroom décor, glass shower doors are one of the hottest trends. Superior to shower curtains by a stretch, shower glass doors add a unique sense of style and depth to your bathroom that gives your home a modern feel. What’s more, they significantly improve your home value.
However, with the limitless combinations of shower glass styles, it is important to weigh your options carefully before opting for one. In this post, we explore the most important things to know before choosing a shower glass door.
Types of Shower Glass
Here are some of the most common types of shower glass:
Clear glass
This is by far the most common option. Its simplicity gives it a modern feel, and it is also easy to clean. The iron content in the glass gives it a mild green tint.
Low-iron glass
This is a high-end glass that has minimal iron, thereby reducing the green tint. It is more transparent than regular clear glass.
Frosted glass
When sand is blasted in the glass production process, it gives a frosted feel that makes the glass a little translucent, thereby offering more privacy.
Tinted glass
Although the most common glass tints are grey and bronze, tinted glasses come in a wide range of colors. The good thing about tinted glass is it can be chosen to better match your home interior.
Rain glass
This decorative glass looks as though water is trickling down the glass on the outer side. This rain pattern makes the glass very translucent, thereby allowing privacy. The rougher face makes it more difficult to clean compared to clear glass.
Types of Shower Doors
Shower doors come in different types. Some of the most common include:
Framed doors
Framed shower doors are standard swinging doors with a metal frame. The frame and hardware are usually chosen to match other features in the room. Because the frame makes the glass sturdier, the glass is relatively thinner, making them less expensive.
Frameless shower
As the name suggests, frameless shower doors do not have any frame. Hence, the glass has to be thicker to add strength to the door. This, in turn, makes them more expensive. The frame in framed doors easily accumulates soap scum and other debris. But since frameless doors have no frame, there’s no place for dirt to hide, making them easier to clean and maintain.
Sliding doors
A sliding door consists of a pair of glass panels that slide on a track, which can be opened in either direction. They are a great choice for small bathrooms where a swinging door will take up a lot of space.
Fixed shower screen
This modern and stylized option is a bi-fold design that folds in to open and close. This means your shower must be wide enough for entry. Fixed shower screens also work well for small bathrooms.
Steam doors
These are floor-to-ceiling doors that trap steam inside the shower. They provide you with the luxury of the sauna experience right in your bathroom. Some steam shower doors are fitted with vents to release steam when needed.
Budget
Installing a shower glass is more expensive than shower curtains. Furthermore, shower glass doors come at different price points. For instance, frameless doors are more expensive than framed doors because of the thicker glass that is typically used in their production. Also, custom features and specifications will add to the overall cost. Knowing how much you’re willing to spend will help you know what design options are viable.
Ease of Maintenance
How much time are you willing to dedicate to maintaining your shower glass door? As noted earlier, framed doors collect soap scum and residue more quickly than frameless doors, making them more challenging to maintain. Similarly, the rough face of patterned glass (like rain glass) makes them more difficult to clean.
Bathroom Space
It’s important to consider the size of your bathroom so you can choose an optimal option. For instance, if you have a small bathroom, a swinging door might take up too much space. Sliding doors might be better suited for you. Also, if your shower is not shaped in the standard square or rectangle, a framed door might not work. You might need to use a frameless shower door so that it can accommodate your custom shape.
Privacy
Clear and low-iron shower doors are transparent. Because they absorb light well, they also give the illusion that your shower isn’t taking too much space. A clear glass might be a great option if you’re living alone or in a scenario where privacy doesn’t matter. On the other hand, if you’ll have kids bumping into your room, then you might need more privacy. In such a case, rain or tinted glass can provide added privacy. Because these types of glasses do not absorb light well, you get a feeling that your shower is taking too much space.
Contact us here today for more information if you happen to be in the salt lake area in need of glass shower door expertise.
